Learning Support

The SEND department at Sacred Heart School seeks to identify where specific learning difficulties (spLD) are impacting upon academic progress and self-esteem; to provide specialist provision if needed; and to equip pupils with an understanding of how they learn most effectively. Whilst a pupil may have difficulty in one or more areas of learning, s/he will have specific talents also. These may include holistic thinking; the ability to create 3D pictures in the mind; good spatial skills; creativity; the ability to make unexpected connections; and good problem solving skills. It is these strengths that we can aim to build upon.

Through screening and assessment, where necessary, a profile of strengths and weaknesses is used to inform a pupils Individual Education Plan (IEP) which is shared with all staff to ensure a differentiated curriculum and appropriate strategies are in place in the classroom.

Pupils may also receive tuition within the Learning Support Department using structured, sequential, cumulative and multi-sensory approaches to such areas as spelling, reading, comprehension, word recognition, organisation of written responses and techniques to improve memory skills. As a pupil progresses through the school, this may be supplemented by sessions that cover study skills, revision and examination technique.

Consideration is also given to access arrangements for public examinations. At the heart of this, is the collaboration between pupil, parents, and teachers to enable an individual to achieve his or her full potential.

English as an additional language (EAL) at Sacred Heart aims to support and to develop pupils’ abilities to communicate effectively in speech and writing in a language which is not their first language.

EAL should support and develop pupils’ appreciation and knowledge of British culture, manners and behavior while maintaining their indebtedness to their own.

EAL should enable pupils to undertake their studies in all subject areas successfully. We demand the highest standards from pupils in EAL.

Aims and objectives

EAL provision is available, in principle, to all pupils whose first languages is not English. In practice, many EAL pupils will neither need nor want language support. Additionally, the school’s ability to help individual pupils may be restricted by either available resources or timetable considerations.
Subject to the above, we aim to:

Assess proficiency in English of all EAL pupils new to the school and communicate this to the whole staff, together with any other relevant information as requested.

Support EAL pupils in specific subjects they are having difficulty with.

Support EAL pupils with more general study skills including recognition of key vocabulary, understanding of instructions and producing acceptable academic writing in the context of specific subjects.

Raise staff awareness of EAL issues as appropriate.

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